The Prince of Tennis: From Data-Driven Tennis to the Pinnacle of His Career

June, Tokyo, Ariake Tennis Forest Park.

As the venue for the Tokyo Metropolitan Tennis Championships, the park has 48 standard tennis courts and can accommodate tens of thousands of spectators.

"Sizzle!"

The bus came to a smooth stop at the park entrance, and the air doors opened.

Kagura Ichijin, carrying a tennis bag, got out of the car.

He looked up at the huge archway at the entrance, above which hung a banner that read "Tokyo Metropolitan Competition," fluttering in the wind.

This time, he came to participate in the lottery ceremony as a representative of Yamabuki Junior High School.

According to the competition rules, hundreds of participating schools will be divided into four zones: A, B, C, and D, for a knockout tournament.

Ultimately, the winners from each region will be the top four, advancing to the Kanto Tournament.

As the top four schools last year, they will automatically become seeded teams in this year's competition, each guarding one of the four halves of the bracket to avoid being eliminated early in a clash with strong opponents.

"Kagura, over here."

Not far away, Guji Muxin stood under the shade of a tree and waved to Kagura as soon as he saw her.

"Senior, you're here really early."

Kagura Ichijin walked over quickly and nodded.

"Let's go, don't be late."

The two walked into the park side by side and soon arrived at the open-air lottery venue located in the central square.

By this time, hundreds of people had gathered here, with representatives from various schools wearing different colored team uniforms and huddled together in twos and threes.

The air was filled with the tension and excitement unique to the competition. Talks and discussions rose and fell.

"Senior, was it always this elaborate before?"

Kagura Ichijin looked around at the busy staff, who were adjusting the sound equipment, and at the archway with colorful balloons hanging from it, and was somewhat surprised.

This is a level above the regional qualifiers.

"Pretty much, after all, this is a major event in all of Tokyo, and it receives a lot of attention."

Looking at the bustling venue, Gu Jimin's eyes flashed with a complex emotion, and he sighed softly.

"This is also my last time participating in the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament. If I don't win the championship this time, I will never have another chance."

While many third-year students share this regret, his sense of injustice is particularly strong as one of Yamabuki's ace doubles players.

For the past three years, Yamabuki has always been just one step away from that peak.

"So that's how it is."

Kagura Ichijin sensed the heaviness in his senior's words. He turned his head and looked at Tani Yoshiki Shin with a firm gaze.

"Don't worry, senior. We will definitely win the championship this year. This is not only to leave no regrets, but also a great opportunity to make Yamabuki resound throughout Tokyo."

"..."

Gu Jimin remained silent for a moment, looking at the confident young man in front of him, a bitter smile appeared on his lips.

He was just as spirited back in first grade.

But when you actually stand on the field and face those geniuses who are so powerful that they make you despair, you realize how heavy the word "champion" really is.

The game is full of uncertainties. No matter how strong you are, a mistake, a gust of wind, or even a lucky shot can change the situation.

"I hope so."

He patted Kagura Ichijin on the shoulder.

"Representatives from all schools, please be quiet. The lottery ceremony is about to begin!"

After an unknown amount of time, the staff's voices came over the loudspeaker, and the venue gradually quieted down.

"First, please welcome the number one seed, the representative of Hyotei Academy, to enter and draw lots!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a path automatically parted in the crowd.

A boy dressed in a gray and white striped team uniform walked onto the stage with elegant and proud steps.

His signature beauty mark and confident gaze instantly drew everyone's attention.

"Hmph, it's finally my turn to take the stage."

Atobe Keigo walked to the lottery box, casually extending his hand, his posture languid yet exuding an aristocratic air of composure.

He quickly pulled out a slip of paper with "D section 128" written on it, unfolded it, and handed it to the staff on the stage.

"Now, please welcome our second seed, the representative from Hojo Middle School."

A tall representative from Hojo walked onto the stage and drew a slip of paper with the number C65.

"Kagura, it seems we're in luck."

Seeing this result, Gu Jimin, sitting in the audience, relaxed his furrowed brows considerably and said in a low voice.

"Hyotei and Hojo are in the lower bracket, which means that if we make it to the semifinals, our opponents will avoid these two strong teams. Before the finals, these two schools will definitely have a match, which will give us a lot of information."

"Really? I don't think there's much difference. If you want to win the championship, you have to defeat all your opponents in the end. You can dodge the first day of the month, but you can't dodge the fifteenth."

Kagura Ichijin remained indifferent, neither commenting nor denying the matter.

In his view, relying on luck to avoid strong opponents is not very meaningful. Without solid strength, even if you make it to the finals, it's just giving away points.

"There are still some differences. Compared to Hyotei and Hojo, the fourth seed stars Oizumi and Izumi are indeed much easier to deal with."

Gu Jimusin shook his head, clearly more pragmatic.

The weaker their opponents, the greater their chances of reaching the finals.

Even if its value is questioned, as long as we achieve results, that's better than anything else.

"Now, please welcome our third seed, the representative from Yamabuki Middle School!"

"Senior, I'll be right back."

Kagura Ichijin straightened his collar and stepped onto the stage.

He approached the staff member, reached into the box, and his fingertips touched a piece of paper that read "Block B, No. 64," which he picked out without hesitation.

After handing the slip of paper to the staff for registration, Kagura Ichijin walked off the stage expressionlessly and returned to Tani Yoshiki Shin's side.

"Now, please welcome the fourth seed, the representative of Hoshino Daisuke!"

With the representative of Hoshino University's Osaka University drawing the last slip of paper with "A Zone 1" written on it, the placement of the four seeded teams was finalized.

Yamabuki Middle School and Hoshino Oizumi Middle School are in the upper half of the zone, while Hyotei Academy and Hojo Middle School are in the lower half.

Next, staff brought out a larger box and began having representatives from the other non-seed schools draw lots on stage.

"Let's go back, senior."

Kagura Ichijin yawned boredly; the long wait was making him a little impatient.

"Don't you know who your opponents were in the previous rounds? Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle."

Gu Jimuxin was somewhat surprised.

"There's no need for that. A truly strong school wouldn't fail to make it into the seeded teams."

Kagura Ichijin shook his head, his tone radiating confidence.

Instead of wasting their time watching a bunch of nobody draw lots, they should go back and rest to recharge.

Given Yamabuki's current strength, as long as he doesn't underestimate his opponent, it's practically impossible for him to lose.

"……All right."

Guji Muxin sighed. Although he felt that Kagura was being a bit presumptuous, he couldn't refute her.

The current Yamabuki certainly has the confidence to back it up.

The two turned and walked towards the exit.

"Hey! Um...you're the captain of Yamabuki, right, Kagura Ichijin?"

Before they had gone far, a slightly arrogant voice came from behind them.

Kagura Ichijin stopped and looked back.

Atobe Keigo walked over with his hands in his pockets, staring intently at him with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Yes, Atobe-kun, is there something you need?"

Kagura Ichijin's eyes flickered slightly. This young master, who had just returned from overseas, was arrogant and haughty. His initiative to come to his door at this time was definitely not a good thing.

"I heard you're really strong. Does that mean if I beat you, I'll be the best in the middle school?"

Atobe Keigo walked up to Kagura and stopped, slightly raising his chin.

In his opinion, the only people who could become a club president in their first year of junior high school, besides Yukimura Seiichi from Rikkai University, were Kagura Ichijin in front of him.

As long as he steps over these two people to rise to power, he can rightfully reach the top.

"no."

Kagura Ichijin shook his head, looking at Atobe Keigo as if he were an idiot.

There are many formidable third-year students in junior high school. Even Yukimura Seiichi wouldn't necessarily win against them, let alone him.

He felt that Atobe Keigo had been misled by the upperclassmen at Hyotei Middle School, thinking that all the upperclassmen in middle school were so weak, which was why he approached him, a fellow first-year student.

"Hmm? Then who should we defeat?"

Atobe Keigo frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.

"Only by defeating all your opponents in the national competition and lifting the championship trophy will others recognize you as the best in junior high school."

Kagura Ichijin sighed and said earnestly.

"There are very few people who have achieved this. Atobe, although you are very talented, if I may be so bold, you are still far from being on par with Hyotei."

Neither individual skill nor overall level has Hyotei and Yamabuki reached their peak yet.

Rikkai University is currently the most promising team, but even so, everything is still uncertain.

"Win the championship? Hmph, just what I want."

Atobe Keigo sneered. Although he was a little annoyed by being looked down upon, these words only fueled his fighting spirit.

He turned around decisively, waved his hand, and left behind a dashing silhouette.

Before he could take more than a few steps, Atobe Keigo suddenly stopped, turned his head, and stared intently at Kagura Ichijin.

"Kagura Ikjin, you listen to me! You absolutely must make it to the finals! You're my first prey, and I'm going to utterly crush you in the official match, in front of everyone!"

"..."

Looking at that confident, almost narcissistic back view, Kagura Ichijin shook his head helplessly.

Keigo Atobe clearly hasn't experienced the harsh realities of life.